RU2654514C2 - Powered method and powered device automatically adjusting power demand level - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of power technologies over an Ethernet network. Power method and a powered device for automatically adjusting the level of the power load, the method comprising: recognizing the power supply (PSE) to the powered device (PD) after the process of determining the level and obtaining the recognition result; when the recognition result is that there is no power supply to the PD, the PD power level is lowered.

EFFECT: embodiment of the present invention improves the determination of the power level of the power system over an Ethernet network (POE), achieves the goal of automatically adjusting the power level according to the power supply power of the PSE, maximizes the use of power PSE power supply, allows you to work more number of terminal devices and increases the utilization rate of the entire POE system.

10 cl, 6 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of power supply technologies via Ethernet, and more specifically to a power supply method and a powered device for automatically controlling the level of power load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

POE (Power over Ethernet) refers to the technology of supplying DC power to the device simultaneously with the transmission of an information signal, provided that no changes are made to the cable infrastructure of the corresponding Ethernet network. POE technology is able to simultaneously ensure the normal operation of the respective networks and the security of the corresponding structured cabling system, thereby minimizing costs.

The entire POE system contains two parts: power supply equipment (PSE) and power supply device (PD). The PSE supplies power to the PD while simultaneously controlling the entire POE process (power over Ethernet).

The operation of the POE is shown in FIG. 1 and is divided into the following four stages:

1. Recognition

First, the PSE gives a low voltage to the port until it recognizes that what is connected to the end of the cable is a powered device that supports the IEEE 802.3af / at standard.

2. Determination of PD level

After recognizing the PD, the PSE determines the PD level and evaluates the power needed for the PD. During this process, the PSE sends a step voltage and simultaneously recognizes the return current and determines the power level PD based on the current value.

If the PSE power supply is greater than that required by the PD, step 3 is performed to power up; if the power supply of the PSE is less than that required by the PD, the PSE does not supply power, it returns to step 1 and re-recognizes.

3. Power supply

The PSE supplies power to the PD, starting at low voltage, until the necessary DC power is provided.

4. Power off

If the PD is unplugged, the PSE will quickly shut off the power to the PD and repeat the recognition process to determine if the end of the cable is connected to the PD.

The contents mentioned above are described in detail in the IEEE802.3af / at standard.

Under normal circumstances, the power level, represented by the characteristic current, the signal about which PD transmits via the feedback channel in the process of determining the level, is the maximum value necessary for the operation of the device. However, in practical applications, the device often does not require activation of all functions or work with the highest performance and the required power level is lower than the power level, the signal of which is transmitted via the feedback channel to the PSE. However, since the PSE is able to recognize only the maximum value of the power load, the PSE can determine that the detected PD power level is higher than the power supply and not supply power, which will ultimately lead to the PD no longer being able to receive power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve a technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power supply method and a power supply device for automatically controlling a power load level in order to overcome the problem and the disadvantage that a PD cannot receive power from a PSE in corresponding POE systems when there is a power level whose signal PD transmits on the feedback channel, exceeds the level necessary to perform the current task.

To solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power method for automatically controlling a power load level, including:

recognition of the supply of power to the power equipment (PSE) to the power supply device (PD) after completion of the level determination process and obtaining a recognition result, and

when the recognition result is that the power supply equipment (PSE) does not supply power to the power supply device (PD), lowering the PD power level.

Alternatively, before the step of recognizing the supply of power to the power equipment (PSE) to the power supply device after completing the leveling process, the method further includes

dividing the PD power level into N different power levels in descending order, while the maximum power level is the first level, and the minimum power level is the N-th level; wherein N is a positive integer.

Alternatively, the method further includes

a step of lowering the PD power level, including:

setting the PD power level to the next lower power level. Alternatively, the method further includes the step of lowering the PD power level, including:

using a timer to start timing after the completion of the level determination process, when the timer value exceeds the maximum PSE power supply time interval, when the recognition result is that there is still no power supply, generating a “next power level” signal;

after receiving the signal "next power level" each time using a totalizing counter and increasing the output value of the totalizing counter by 1 to obtain the value of the level indicator; in this case, the totalizing counter is N-channel, and the value of the level indicator indicates the next, lower power level, to which switching should be performed;

using a storage device to record the value of the level indicator and

switching to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator.

Alternatively, before the step of lowering the PD power level, the method further includes:

selecting characteristic resistors corresponding to successive N power levels and mounting characteristic resistors on the PD circuit according to power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors;

wherein the step of switching to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator includes:

according to the power level, expressed by the value of the level indicator, closing only the PD channel connection with a characteristic resistor corresponding to the power level, and disconnecting the channel connections of other characteristic PD resistors.

In order to solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a powered device (PD) for automatically controlling a power load, wherein the PD comprises an input voltage recognition unit and a level switching unit; wherein

the input voltage recognition unit is configured to recognize the supply of power to the powered device (PD) by the power equipment (PSE) after the level determination process and the recognition result are obtained, and

the level switching unit is configured to, upon recognition, consisting in the absence of power supply by the power supply equipment (PSE) to the power supply device, lowering the PD power level.

Alternatively, the device further comprises

the level determining unit, which is configured to, before the recognition unit recognizes the input voltage of the supply of power supply equipment (PSE) to the powered device after the level determination process, setting N different power levels in descending order, while the maximum power level is the first level, and the minimum level of nutrition is the N-th level; wherein N is a positive integer.

Alternatively, the device further has the following feature:

the level switching unit is configured to lower the power level PD as follows:

the level switching unit lowers the PD power level to the next, lower power level.

Alternatively, the device further has the following feature:

the level switching unit comprises a timer summing the counter and the storage device; wherein the timer is configured to start timing after completion of the level determination process, when the timer value exceeds the maximum PSE power supply time interval, and, as a result of recognition obtained by the input voltage recognition unit, which still includes no power supply, generating a signal " next level of nutrition ";

the totalizing counter is configured to, after each time the signal "next power level" is received, increase the output value of the totalizing counter by 1 to obtain the value of the level indicator; in this case, the totalizing counter is N-channel, and the value of the level indicator indicates the next, lower power level, to which switching should be performed;

the storage device is configured to record the value of the level indicator and

the level determination unit is further configured to, according to the value of the level indicator, switch to the next lower power level.

Alternatively, the device further has the following feature:

the level determination unit is further configured to, before lowering the PD power level by the level switching unit, select characteristic resistors corresponding to consecutive N power levels, and mount the characteristic resistors on the PD circuit according to the power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors;

the level determination unit is configured to switch to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator as follows:

according to the power level set by the value of the level indicator, the level determining unit closes only the PD channel connection with a characteristic resistor corresponding to the power level, and disconnects the channel connections of other characteristic PD resistors.

Thus, the application of the method and device in the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the power supply method and the power supply device for automatic power control compared to the prior art can be an improvement in determining the power level of the POE system and achieve the goal of automatically controlling the power level based on PSE power supply, thereby maximizing the use of PSE power supply to allow operation l more terminal devices and increase the utilization rate of the entire POE system.

A brief description of the graphic materials

In FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a corresponding operation process of a POE;

in FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a power supply method for automatically controlling a power load level according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a powered device (PD) for automatically controlling a power load level according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a power supply method for automatically controlling a power load level according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for switching a level indicator value in a case where the PD operates at the maximum power level, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for switching a level indicator value in a case where the PD operates with a power-on condition, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred Embodiments

Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described in detail in connection with the accompanying graphic materials. It should be noted that in the absence of contradictions, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power method for automatically controlling a power load level, the method including

in step S201, recognition of the supply by the power equipment (PSE) of power to the power device (PD) after the level determination process is completed and the recognition result is obtained.

In step S202, when the recognition result is that the supply equipment (PSE) does not supply power to the powered device, lowering the PD power level.

In one implementation of the present embodiment, before the step of recognizing the supply of power to the powered device (PSE) to the powered device after the level determination process is completed, the method may further include dividing the PD power level into N different power levels in descending order, with the maximum power level being the first level, and the minimum power level is the N-th level; wherein N is a positive integer.

In one implementation of the present invention, said reduction in PD power level may, without limitation, be a decrease in PD power level to the next, lower power level, that is, if the current PD power level is ^My level, then the PD power level switches to ( M + 1) ^th level; wherein M is a positive integer less than or equal to N-1.

In one implementation of this embodiment, a separate step is to lower the PD power level to the next, lower power level? includes:

the use of a timer to start timing after the completion of the level determination process, when the timer value exceeds the maximum PSE power supply time interval, when the recognition results consist in the absence of still power supply, generating a “next power level” signal;

the use of a totalizing counter and after receiving the signal “next power level” each time, increasing the output value of the totalizing counter by 1 to obtain the value of the level indicator; in this case, the totalizing counter is N-channel, and the value of the level indicator indicates the next, lower power level, to which switching should be performed;

using a storage device to record the value of the level indicator and

an indication of switching to the next lower power level based on the value of the level indicator.

In one implementation of the present embodiment, before the step of lowering the PD power level, the method may further include: selecting characteristic resistors corresponding to N power levels in order, and mounting the characteristic resistors on the PD circuit based on the power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors;

in one implementation of the present embodiment, the step of switching to the next lower power level based on the value of the level indicator may, in particular, include:

based on the power level, expressed by the value of the level indicator, closing only the PD channel connection with a characteristic resistor corresponding to the power level, and disconnecting the channel connections of other characteristic PD resistors.

The above method provides a power method for automatically controlling the level of power load, after the first recognition of the step voltage PD sends a signal about the power level via the feedback channel. If the PSE does not supply power after the level detection is completed, the next time the PD is recognized, it adjusts the functions and indicators that can be provided, and automatically switches and sends a signal about the next lower power level to the PSE via the feedback channel. The PSE again determines whether it can supply power, and if so, then the PD receives power for operation; otherwise, the PD switches to the next, lower power level at the next level recognition, and so on.

Compared with the prior art, there is progress in determining the power level of the POE system and automatic power level control is achieved based on the PSE power supply, thereby maximizing the use of PSE power supply to allow more terminal devices to work and increase the utilization rate of the entire POE systems.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a specific application process of the above method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the following steps being included.

At step S301, when the value of the level indicator indicates the power level, the port voltage is checked.

In step S302, a detection voltage is checked if there is no detection voltage, step S301 is performed.

In step S303, if there is voltage in the recognition, the power of the other PDUs is turned off and only the recognition unit continues to receive power so that the PSE can recognize the powered device that supports the IEEE 802.3af / at standard.

In step S304, a step voltage is detected, if a step voltage is present, step S305 is performed; otherwise, step S301 is performed.

At step S305, a feedback signal about the power level, which is currently indicated by the value of the level indicator, is transmitted.

At step S306, PSE power supply recognition is performed; if the PSE supplies power, step S307 is performed; otherwise, step S308 is performed.

At step S307, the maximum functionality and performance that are currently supported is recorded to limit the functionality and performance of the PD; step S309 is performed.

In step S308, the level indicator value is switched to the next lower power level (for example, by increasing the level indicator value by 1), and step S302 is performed.

In step S309, the PD is operating properly.

In step S310, if there is any deviation causing a power outage, step S301 will be performed.

Compared with the prior art, by automatically adjusting the power load level, the above embodiment improves the determination of the power level of the POE system and achieves the goal of automatically adjusting the power level based on the PSE power supply, thereby maximizing the use of the PSE power supply to allow work with more terminal devices and increase the utilization rate of the entire POE system.

To implement the above method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a powered device (PD) for automatically controlling the power load, as shown in FIG. four.

The input voltage recognition unit A, the recognition unit B and the power supply unit C can be implemented using a technical solution similar to the prior art; wherein

the input voltage recognition unit A is configured to recognize the supply of power to the powered device (PD) by the power supply equipment (PSE) and to obtain a recognition result.

By recognizing the voltage value supplied by the PSE by the unit, this stage of operation can be completed. The PD continues to power or disconnect the respective units from the power according to the stage of operation reached.

The recognition unit B is configured to, in the stage of recognizing the power supply process, involve the PSE in determining that the PD is a powered device that supports the IEEE 802.3af / at standard.

The power supply unit E is configured to receive a PSE power supply and convert the power to a power supply form necessary for various parts of the device.

The components of the powered device, other than the prior art, comprise at least a level determining unit C and a level switching unit D.

The level determination unit C is configured to return a current indicative of a power level in the level determination process and a PSE message of a required power level.

The main differences between the PD level determination unit in the present technical solution and the prior art PD are as follows: the corresponding device can transmit on the feedback channel only one current signal indicating the power level, and this power level is the maximum for the device to operate. PD in this technical solution can automatically adjust the current, that is, if PD is not supplied with power after the level determination process, the device automatically reduces its performance and functionality and transmits a signal about a lower level of power load to the next level determination process via the feedback channel, increasing the likelihood that the PD will receive power for work, and solving the problem that part of the PD cannot receive power.

Under normal circumstances, one characteristic resistor is used for the PD level determination function. When a step voltage is applied to the port, the remaining circuit paths are closed so that the step voltage returns the step characteristic current through the step characteristic resistor. The PSE recognizes the PD power level by recognizing current.

In an embodiment of the present invention, since the PD needs to be switched to several different power levels, its design must include several characteristic resistors corresponding to different serial power levels, and a parallel connection shape can be selected, but this shape is not limited to the parallel connection shape. In addition, a storage device is used to record the functionality and performance achieved at each power level in order to monitor the functionality and performance of the device after the PD has received power.

In the above description, the installation of different power levels, as well as the control of functionality, must be provided and programmed before using the device.

The operation of the level determining unit C may include the following steps.

At the first stage, according to different options and requirements of the device’s applications, N different power levels are installed. At the same time, the determination of functionality and performance corresponding to N power levels is carried out.

In a second step, N nutritional levels are arranged in a descending order. The maximum power level is the first level, and the minimum power level is the Nth level. This arrangement contributes to the implementation of a stepwise power switch.

At the third stage, characteristic resistors corresponding to N power levels are selected and determined, and these characteristic resistors are mounted on PD based on the power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors.

In a fourth step, functional control commands corresponding to N power levels are programmed into a storage device to monitor the operation of the powered device after the PD has received power so as not to exceed the allowable power.

The level switching unit D implements the level designation function, controls that the level determining unit C returns currents indicating different power levels in different situations. This unit is a new unit compared to a regular PD and thanks to it, the power level switching function works without a glitch.

In one embodiment, the level switching unit D may, in particular, comprise a timer summing a counter and a storage device.

The timer is used to generate a signal "switching the value of the level indicator to the next power level." The timer sets the maximum time interval from the completion of the level determination process to the PSE power-up time. Each time the level determination process is completed, the timer starts, when the timer expires, this means that the PSE cannot supply power to the PSE. At this time, a signal "switching the value of the level indicator to the next power level" is generated for the counter and the counter is increased by 1.

The totalizer is an N-counter (N is the number N of power levels provided by the PD design) asynchronous totalizer. The initial value of the counter is 1, the input pulse is the signal "switching the value of the level indicator to the next power level." When the signal “switching the level indicator value to the next power level” is recognized each time, the output value is increased by 1 in order to obtain the current level indicator value, while the storage device records the level indicator value.

The value of the level indicator recorded by the storage device can be obtained according to the algorithm, and the output value of the summing counter, for example, the value of the level indicator, can be set to the output value of the summing counter, and the value of the level indicator can be different, depending on different requests.

Other features of the device may relate to the description of the content of the method.

As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 5 provides a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for switching a level indicator value when the PD operates at maximum power level.

The implementation goal requires that each time the PD is energized, the PD starts operating at the highest power level and stepwise decreases the power load level until the PSE supplies power to the PD. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the PD operates with maximum functionality and performance.

With this technical solution, the initial counter value is set to 1, that is, the value of the level indicator indicates the first level of power levels, i.e. the highest level. After the PD is supplied with power, each time a signal is detected that indicates a level switch, the counter is incremented by 1 and the count value is stored on the storage device. The number of meter system values is the same as the number of power levels provided by the PD design.

The following steps are included.

At step S501, the start of operation.

In step S502, the initial value of the level indicator value is 1, that is, the level indicator value indicates that the power level is the first level.

In step S503, the input pulse is “switching the level indicator value to the next power level”.

At step S504, a determination is made whether the current value of the level indicator N is equal; if the level indicator value is N, step S502 is performed; if the value of the level indicator is not N, step S505 is performed.

In step S505, the level indicator value is increased by 1, and step S503 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 provides a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for switching a level indicator value when the PD operates with a power-up condition.

The PD receives power in the first place, and the PD should record the previous mode of operation after turning off the power, the next time the power level is determined, the PD first transmits the signal about the power level of the last operation via the feedback channel. This solution is applicable when the operating conditions do not change, but the PD network cable is disconnected and reconnected. Non-volatile memory must be made to record the value of the level indicator and at the same time save this value after turning off the power of the PD. The factory default value is set to 1.

The following steps are included.

At step S601, the start of operation.

At step S602, the value of the level indicator is equal to the value recorded by the storage device.

In step S603, the input pulse is “switching the level indicator value to the next power level”.

At step S604, a determination is made whether the current value of the level indicator N is equal; if the level indicator value is N, step S605 is performed; if the level indicator value does not equal N, then step S606 is performed.

In step S605, the level indicator value is set to 1, and step S603 is performed.

In step S606, the level indicator value is increased by 1, and step S603 is performed.

One skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the aforementioned method can be performed using programs sending instructions to the appropriate hardware, and that the programs can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as read-only memory, a magnetic or optical disk, or the like. like that. Alternatively, all or some of the steps of the above embodiments may also be carried out using one or more integrated circuits. Accordingly, each block / module in the above embodiments may be implemented using a certain type of hardware or may be implemented using a certain type of software blocks. The present invention is not limited to any particular form of hardware or software combinations.

Of course, the present invention may include many other embodiments, and without going beyond the scope and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various suitable changes and modifications according to the present invention, and all these suitable changes and modifications should fall within the scope of protection the attached claims of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The use of the method and device in the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the power method and the power supply device for automatically controlling power in comparison with the prior art can be an improvement in determining the power level of the POE system and achieve the goal of automatically controlling the power level based on power PSE power supply, thereby maximizing the use of PSE power supply to allow more -operation terminal devices and improve utilization ratio, POE entire system. Thus, the present invention has a high level of industrial applicability.

Claims (36)

1. The power method for automatically controlling the level of power load, including: recognition of the supply of power to the power equipment (PSE) to the power supply device (PD) after completion of the level determination process and obtaining a recognition result, and when the recognition result is that the power supply equipment (PSE) does not supply power to the power supply device (PD), lowering the PD power level. 2. The power supply method according to claim 1, where before the step of recognizing the supply of power to the powered device (PSE) by the power equipment after the level determination process is completed, the method further includes: dividing the PD power level into N different power levels in descending order, while the maximum power level is the first level, and the minimum power level is the N-th level; wherein N is a positive integer. 3. The food method according to claim 2, where the step of lowering the PD power level includes: setting the PD power level to the next lower power level. 4. The food method according to claim 2, where the step of lowering the PD power level includes: the start of the timing by the timer after the completion of the level determination process, when the timer value exceeds the maximum time interval of PSE power supply, when the recognition result is that there is still no power supply, generating the signal "next power level"; after receiving the signal “next power level”, each time the totalizing counter increases the output value of the totalizing counter by 1 to obtain the value of the level indicator; in this case, the totalizing counter is N-channel, and the value of the level indicator indicates the next, lower power level, to which switching should be performed; using a storage device to record the value of the level indicator and switching to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator. 5. The food method according to claim 4, where before the step of lowering the power level PD, the method further includes selecting characteristic resistors corresponding to successive N power levels and mounting characteristic resistors on the PD circuit according to power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors; wherein the step of switching to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator includes: according to the power level, expressed by the value of the level indicator, only the inclusion of the PD channel connection with a characteristic resistor corresponding to the power level, and the disconnection of channel connections of other characteristic PD resistors. 6. A powered device (PD) for automatically controlling the power load, comprising: an input voltage recognition unit and a level switching unit; wherein the input voltage recognition unit is configured to recognize the supply of power to the powered device (PD) by the power equipment (PSE) after the level determination process and the recognition result are obtained, and the level switching unit is configured to, upon recognition, consisting in the absence of power supply by the power supply equipment (PSE) to the power supply device, lowering the PD power level. 7. A powered device according to claim 6, where the device further comprises the level determining unit, which is configured to, before the recognition unit recognizes the input voltage of the supply of power supply equipment (PSE) to the powered device after the level determination process, setting N different power levels in descending order, while the maximum power level is the first level, and the minimum level of nutrition is the N-th level; wherein N is a positive integer. 8. The powered device according to claim 6, where the level switching unit is configured to lower the power level PD as follows: the level switching unit lowers the PD power level to the next, lower power level. 9. The powered device according to claim 8, where the level switching unit comprises a timer summing the counter and the storage device; wherein the timer is configured to start timing after completion of the level determination process, when the timer value exceeds the maximum power supply PSE time interval, and, as a result of recognition received by the input voltage recognition unit, which still contains no power supply, generating a signal “the next level nutrition "; the totalizing counter is configured to, after each time the signal "next power level" is received, increase the output value of the totalizing counter by 1 to obtain the value of the level indicator; in this case, the totalizing counter is N-channel, and the value of the level indicator indicates the next, lower power level, to which switching should be performed; the storage device is configured to record the value of the level indicator and the level determination unit is further configured to switch to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator. 10. A powered device according to claim 9, where the level determination unit is further configured to, before lowering the PD power level by the level switching unit, select characteristic resistors corresponding to consecutive N power levels, and mount the characteristic resistors on the PD circuit according to the power levels corresponding to characteristic resistors; the level determination unit is configured to switch to the next lower power level according to the value of the level indicator as follows: according to the power level set by the value of the level indicator, the level determining unit only turns on the PD channel connection with a characteristic resistor corresponding to the power level, and disconnects the channel connections of other characteristic PD resistors.

Images